Cancer activist Nadine Motshegwe publishes book
Cancer activist Chalene Nadine Motshegwe has penned a moving memoir, titled ‘You will not define me,’ which documents her personal journey as a cancer survivor.
The 24-year-old events management student at Limkokwing University, was diagnosed with bone cancer twice, at age 16 and again at age 17. After a rough battle with chemotherapy, she is now on the road to recovery and currently walks with a crutch.
Motshegwe recently told Vibe that she started writing in order to try and make sense of what was happening to her. “I struggled with emotions of fear and sadness. I couldn’t believe that it was me who was so sick,” she said. Writing proved to be quite therapeutic for her.
She said she was inspired to publish a book by her therapist, who has always encouraged her to share her emotions by putting pen to paper, as well as her literature teacher, who once came across her writing and told her that she could turn it into a book.
The book is comprised of personal diary entries that regale details of her diagnosis and what she went through during treatment. She also explores the emotions she went through, and gives the reader an idea of what goes on in the mind of a person who is diagnosed with cancer. “I wanted readers to get an idea of what goes through a teen’s mind when are diagnosed with cancer, emotions, feelings, fears etc. I also wanted to demystify the belief among some that cancer is boloi (witchcraft). Cancer is actually a medical condition like any other,” she said.
The bubbly Motshegwe said while she has been to hell and back and lived to tell the story, her experiences have taught her to appreciate the gift of live and to live every day as if it is her last. “I also want other people to appreciate their health and the beauty of being alive.”